Testing the cosmological principle with galaxy motions

Maps of the Universe show us where we are and how we got here. This project aims to answer fundamental questions about the Universe by creating a vast new map of galaxies' positions and motions over the whole southern sky. This map will be far larger than any previous survey. It will reveal the origin of the Milky Way's motion through the Universe and test a fundamental assumption of modern cosmology: that on the largest scales the Universe is the same everywhere. The project exploits the Australian governments $120M investment in a 10-year strategic partnership with the European Southern Observatory to access a transformational new survey telescope. To collect light from thousands of galaxies simultaneously, this facility uses advanced micro-robots for positioning optical fibres that were designed and built in Australia. The primary benefit of this project will be a deeper understanding of humanitys place in the Universe. Other benefits include a high-profile demonstra